Hi, everyone. I'm Erik and I hail from Tigard, south of Portland in Oregon I'm 27 and work as a captioner for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing. I've been practicing Buddhism for only two or three years.

I'm coming to Theravada after starting in Zen, and a brief stint at a Kagyu center in town. My first introduction to Buddhism was Henepola Gunaratana's "Mindfulness in Plain English" which I read while deeply depressed. I had tried to find relief in Christianity, but was unsuccessful. The directness and practical advice of the Buddha and the authors I've read have made such a difference in my suffering and ability to help others with theirs.

I don't know why I never thought to explore Theravada more fully. I delved into Zen because of its no-nonsense approach, which is great for a self-admitted addict to complex theories and metaphysical speculation. It certainly helped put that into perspective. Several things have lined up to bring me full circle back to the tradition that was my gateway from depression into a surprising love and humor I never knew were there. I'm eager to explore it more.

If anyone can recommend local centers, I'd be so grateful. I'm hoping to attend something with the PDX Friends of the Dhamma.

---The trouble is that you think you have time------Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe------It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---

You are also about 1.5 hour drive from an outstanding resource, an Ajahn Chah lineage hermitage: http://www.pacifichermitage.orgThere are several people from Portland who drive out there with regularity, it is easy to find carpools.

You are also near Theravada monasteries and centers based in immigrant communities.

we share some key aspects about our life's experiences... "io sono*" 27 years young, really liked Zen (still do), gived christianity a chance (even gnostic christianity), went to a kagyu local sect... we even live in the same continent!

*in italian "I am"; one difference, the other is that I'm living in Costa Rica, not USAN/ tathagata can be used as gender and number neutral pronoun

Interesting Padma Phala I was fascinated with the Gospel of Thomas for a while, then realized I was trying to find a way to make Christianity more Buddhist. So that put an end to that.

I did try the Portland Insight Community and was unfortunately a bit put off at the newcomers' meeting. I'm not sure how much stock to put into gut feelings. I should probably try again since it's the only Theravada place I can go with my work schedule. I'm also looking around for places to (finally) attend my first multi-day retreat. I found a Cloud Mountain retreat lead by Rodney Smith that seemed interesting.